Aish El Saraya
Aish El Saraya, meaning 'palace bread,' is a beloved Middle Eastern dessert featuring layers of toasted bread soaked in a fragrant syrup, topped with a creamy custard (ashta), and often garnished with pistachios. It's a rich and decadent dessert perfect for special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 12 slices White bread(crusts removed, cut into cubes)
- 100 g Butter(melted)
- 250 ml Water(for syrup)
- 200 g Granulated sugar(for syrup)
- 2 tbsp Rose water(or orange blossom water)
- 500 ml Milk(whole milk)
- 200 ml Heavy cream
- 40 g Cornstarch
- 30 g Caster sugar(for ashta)
- 50 g Pistachios(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, toast them in a toaster.
- 2
While the bread toasts, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine water and granulated sugar. Stir until dissolved, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in rose water or orange blossom water.
- 3
Place toasted bread cubes in a serving dish. Drizzle generously with the prepared syrup, ensuring all cubes are moistened. Let sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the syrup.
- 4
Prepare the ashta (cream layer). In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, heavy cream, cornstarch, and caster sugar until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
- 5
Pour the hot ashta evenly over the syrup-soaked bread in the serving dish.
- 6
Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the ashta.
- 7
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve cold.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the bread is toasted well to prevent it from becoming too soggy.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the syrup.
- ✓If you prefer a firmer set for the ashta, add a little more cornstarch.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of orange blossom water to the ashta for extra fragrance.
- Use different nuts like almonds or walnuts for garnish.
- For a caramel layer, caramelize sugar in the serving dish before adding the bread.